Meet the author is a series of articles intended to introduce you to our wonderful authors. Learn about the books they’ve written, the spiritual pathways they’ve traversed and some fun little tidbits… introducing Barbara Meiklejohn-Free!

What books have you written?

I have written over 20 books on witchcraft, shamanism, magickal protection, and earth traditions. My work ranges from practical guides on spellcraft and psychic development to explorations of shamanic healing and the deeper mysteries of ancestral practice.

My books are based on my lived experience — from growing up in traditional Scottish witchcraft with Granny Winnie and Auntie Barbara to walking the paths of Native American and South American shamans to years of working within esoteric and occult traditions. Each book is a teaching and a journey, blending ancient practices with modern insight.

I am currently immersed in writing The Witch’s Wounds: Reclaiming the Bloodline of Power, a work that delves into ancestral trauma, persecution, and the resilience of witches throughout history. It is the first of several new books I am bringing forward, weaving together the wisdom of the old ways with the needs of the present.

How would you describe your spiritual pathway?

My pathway is rooted deeply in Scottish traditional witchcraft, shaped from childhood by the guidance of my Granny Winnie and Auntie Barbara, who passed on the old ways through story, herb lore, and lived practice. From those beginnings, my journey carried me across the world — to the Native American lands, where I learned the heartbeat of the drum, sweatlodge, sundance and into the South American jungles, where I walked with shamans and drank in their plant wisdom.

As a neurodivergent soul, I have always been drawn to oral traditions, where the wisdom is carried in voice, breath, and memory. My craft is hereditary and eclectic: I love weaving traditions together, blending ancient knowledge, esoteric teachings, and mystical practices into a greater tapestry. The quest for more profound wisdom is at the heart of it all — the hidden threads connecting cultures, spirits, and the land itself.

My path is witchy, shamanic, occult, and devoted to ancient wisdom and knowledge, constantly weaving it into living practice.

What is something fun and quirky about yourself?

I may be a Capricorn ruled by Saturn, which sounds very serious, but that’s only part of me. The moment I step into mediumship, it all changes, and I turn into a witchy stand-up act. Imagine Tommy Cooper in a cloak and pointy boots, that’s me, cracking jokes and slipping into slapstick while spirits are talking.

My quirkiness is shown in my love of colourful, eccentric clothing, which I design and create, and the curious treasures I collect worldwide.

And through it all, I keep balance. I have my serious side when teaching or leading workshops, but humour always weaves its way in. I’m grateful to carry both — the seriousness, quirkiness, and eccentricity — all in balance and woven together from many lifetimes.

Where can people find you?

You can find me in many places — through my books, oracle decks, diaries, and so much more. I’m also very present online, running courses on witchcraft, shamanism, magickal protection, and ancestral practice.

These days, I’m spending more time in Buxton, at Arnemetia’s The Purple Shop, a magical hub where people can explore the old ways and connect with spirit through tools, books, and wisdom. Of course, you’ll also find me happily at my desk, writing, which I love more than ever, since I semi-retired. 

What tips do you have for folk beginning their spiritual journey?

Start small and steady. Ground yourself and protect yourself daily. Breathe deeply and let yourself root. Keep a Book of Shadows to capture dreams, synchronicities, and spirit whispers.

Honour your boundaries. Don’t be cajoled into paths that don’t feel right. Say firmly, “This is my vision, my dream.” Authenticity and integrity are your compass to live by. 

I was taught by Swain Macdonald, the previous Highland Seer, who told me to commit to thirty years of training before teaching — a path I honoured and trusted. Learn to walk before running. My first book, The Heart of All Knowing (Moon Books), marked that beginning.

Allow the journey to unfold. The answers often come before the question. Look for the signs, trust your intuition, and listen to the genius loci — the spirit of place and those who watch over the land. Seek guides and companions who are true, who want the best for you, not for themselves, and your path will never lead you astray.

Which deity or deities would you love to have dinner with?

If I could set the table, it would be more like Valhalla than a polite supper — a wild, raucous reunion where laughter shakes the rafters and prophecy is spoken over wine and bread. Sekhmet would roar with fire and healing, Anubis would slip between worlds with secrets of life and death, while Odin and Thor would thunder in with tales louder than the storm. Hecate would guard the torches at the crossroads, Ashirah would weave the ancient mysteries, Lilith would speak truths sharp as lightning, and the Morrígan, with her crows, would raise a battle-song. Loki would keep us laughing and on our toes, stirring mischief just enough to stop it from growing too solemn.

Alongside them, I would welcome the Cailleach, Kali, and Inanna — each fierce in their own way — together with Cybele striking the drum, and Hathor and Isis bringing joy, beauty, and wisdom.

It would not be a quiet meal. It would be a riot of strength, prophecy, laughter, and song — a feast where every difference is set aside, every power is welcomed, and all voices rise together. A gathering of gods and goddesses where wisdom is shared like wine and the night ends in music, mischief, and the joy of reunion.

What magical items would you take with you if you had to live on an island for a year?

If I were heading to a desert island, I’d want to be comfortable. I’d make sure I had a good bed piled high with pillows and duvets, surrounded by books so that I could read and dream to my heart’s content. I’d transport my whole garden of herbs with me — along with all my lotions and potions — so I could keep brewing magick, medicine, and mischief.

My drum would also come to keep me company, and naturally, I’d need a year’s supply of chocolate (and plenty of tasty snacks), because even a witch on a desert island deserves her treats. In truth, I’d probably pick up my entire house and drop it on the beach — then settle in for a year of spells, stories, and star-filled nights.

At heart, I am a weaver of words, wisdom, and worlds. Serious in my craft, playful in my spirit, and always devoted to keeping the old ways alive in new times.

Known widely as The Highland Seer, Barbara Meiklejohn-Free was born and brought up in the Highlands of Scotland, where the ancient tradition still survives. She has worked with many of the indigenous cultures from around the world, including North and South America, and now after forty years of practice has integrated the ancient ways of Seership, Shamanism and Earth Wise traditions in this comprehensive and heart-touching volume. She lives in Buxton, UK. For more information see http://www.spiritvisions.co.uk

For more details: https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/moon-books/authors/barbara-meiklejohn-free